INTEGRATING ISLAMIC ARTS INTO MELAKA’S CULTURAL TOURISM: REVISITING THE MOSQUE TRAILS IN MELAKA

Hariz Ahmad Kamal
Curator and Ph.D. candidate
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC-IIUM)

IN conjunction with World Tourism Day 2025 in Melaka, the city’s rich cultural heritage is once again in the global spotlight. Melaka, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, exemplifies a unique blend of history, culture, and architectural marvels that continue to captivate visitors. One promising avenue to further enhance Melaka’s appeal as a prime tourist destination is the inclusion of a dedicated mosque trail, a journey of a series of visit through some of its most historically and architecturally significant mosques. This initiative holds tremendous potential to enrich the local tourism landscape by promoting Islamic art and culture in a meaningful and immersive way.

Melaka’s historical significance as a thriving trading port has fostered a multicultural heritage, of which Islamic culture forms an integral part. Its mosques are not only places of worship but also repositories of exquisite Islamic art, intricate craftsmanship, and architectural innovation. The mosque trail can serve as a cultural corridor, guiding tourists through various centuries of Islamic influence reflected in different mosque styles, from traditional Malay designs to colonial-era and modern structures.

Promoting Islamic art through this trail offers a multifaceted experience to tourists. They engage not only with spiritual and religious narratives but also with artistic expressions like calligraphy, motifs, tile work, and wood carvings that beautifully illustrate Islamic aesthetics. Such art forms provide insight into the cultural and religious identity that shapes the local community, fostering greater appreciation and intercultural understanding among visitors.

Furthermore, the mosque trail adds significant value to Melaka tourism by diversifying its cultural offerings beyond the already popular heritage buildings and museums. It attracts a broader spectrum of visitors, including those interested in religious tourism, art, architecture, history, and cultural heritage. The trail can be designed to incorporate educational programs, guided tours, and interactive exhibits, enhancing visitor engagement and making the experience both informative and memorable.

The mosques of Melaka, each a cultural and historical jewel, illustrate the rich tapestry of Islamic art through their unique architectural expressions. Masjid Kampung Hulu, dating back to 1720-1728, stands as a prime example of cultural synthesis with the harmonious fusion of Islamic faith with local and regional artistic traditions, representing centuries of religious coexistence and craftsmanship.

While the Masjid Tengkera and its famous Menara Lama Surau Tengkera embody Melaka’s layered Islamic heritage. The minaret, built in 1728 and the last remnant of an earlier mosque replaced by Masjid Tengkera in 1780, with its three-tiered roof a blend of Malay and Chinese artistic expression with a Chulia inspired octagonal minaret, preserving the historical narrative of Islamic influence in the region while symbolising spiritual and communal identity. Alongside, Masjid Kampong Kling highlights intricate wooden craftsmanship with detailed ornamentation, underscoring the artistic richness of Malay Islamic architecture.

The newest among these historic mosques, Masjid Selat Melaka, established in 2006, marks a shift toward modern Islamic architectural expression that respects tradition while embracing contemporary symbolism. Its design shaped like a ship reflects Melaka’s maritime heritage, linking the past with present identity and reinforcing the ongoing cultural narrative. Together, these mosques emphasise the significance of Islamic art and history in Melaka’s mosques’ trail—each mosque a testament to the city’s multicultural past and a beacon for promoting cultural heritage through tourism. They offer visitors a profound appreciation of Islamic spirituality embodied in diverse artistic forms, deepening understanding and respect for Melaka’s unique cultural landscape.

The sites of these notable mosques in Melaka also serve as resting places for prominent ulama and Islamic scholars of the region, adding spiritual and historical significance to their cultural and architectural importance.

At Masjid Kampung Hulu, adjacent to the mosque is an ancient cemetery where several notable Islamic preachers, missionaries, and respected scholars are buried. One such figure is Sayyid Abdullah Al-Haddad, a revered religious teacher regarded by many as a saint (Wali). This burial ground enhances the mosque’s role as not only a place of worship but also a centre for Islamic learning and spiritual heritage in Melaka, symbolising the ongoing influence of Islamic scholarship in the region.
Their architectural grandeur coupled with the legacy of religious leaders who would have been associated with these mosques underscores their continued importance in Islamic cultural and educational traditions within the city. Collectively, the mosque trail encapsulates Melaka’s rich Islamic heritage through both tangible art and architecture and intangible religious scholarship.

Speaking of the Malay architectural elements and mosques as important sites in Melaka’s Islamic heritage, there is also a need to include a destroyed Melaka mosque at the site of the A’ Famosa in the narrative. The mosque once stood prior to its destruction during the Portuguese conquest of Melaka in 1511.

Melaka’s 2025 Calendar of Events is filled with festivals, sports, and cultural activities — yet it overlooks one of the city’s greatest treasures: its Malay-Islamic heritage. While events like Maulidur Rasul are mentioned, there is no dedicated mosque trail, no showcase of Islamic art, and little emphasis on the historic role of Islam in shaping Melaka’s identity.

In vibrant tourist hubs such as Bandar Hilir and Jonker Street, visitors see plenty local cultural festivals, but almost no events highlighting the Malay-Islamic civilisation. This leaves out a vital chapter of Melaka’s story, from the legacy of Islamic art to the old mosque once standing at the A’Famosa site, a symbol of the city’s long-standing Islamic roots. Integrating a mosque trail into Melaka’s tourism framework is a visionary step toward promoting Islamic art and culture while enhancing the city’s tourism portfolio. It aligns with the themes of World Tourism Day 2025 by encouraging sustainable and culturally respectful tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community. This innovative addition will undoubtedly elevate Melaka as a destination where history, art, and spirituality harmoniously converge.

By weaving Islamic art, architecture, and history into Melaka’s tourism experience, we not only enrich visitors’ understanding but also honour the civilisation that made Melaka a global hub in its golden age. Showcasing Malay-Islamic heritage alongside other cultural highlights will give tourists a fuller, more authentic picture of Melaka’s past and present.

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